There’s something I appreciate about a coordinated family Halloween costume. It must speak to my desire for organization and control! IYKYK…
But what do we do when our kid wants to dress up as a Disney Zombies 3 character or a cat?
We let them.
As hard as it is, Garrett and I want to give our kids freedom in choosing who want they to be for Halloween,
even if it’s not something we’re necessarily excited about.
Ultimately, their Halloween joy comes before my wishes for a creative and blog-worthy costume idea.
We usually start by asking the kids what they want to be for Halloween.
And we ask again every other week because it changes every other week. Then, a couple weeks before actual Halloween, we force them to make a final decision before we start purchasing. I try my best to coordinate themes or a family costume around what they chose.
Here’s a quick trip down memory lane, featuring costume ideas, how they came about, and where you can purchase.
FAMILY COSTUME IDEA: HARRY POTTER
SHOP HERE:
Hermione Costume
Harry Potter Robes
Orange Wig
Hagrid Wig
Hagrid Coat
Dobby Mask ( I cut it)
Last year, our family watched all of the Harry Potter movies, except the last one (they were getting dark and intense).
Needless to say, our girls became big fans.
I made Poet’s Hedwig costume by gluing feathers all over a baby bonnet and cape. She just wore a white onesie under.
FAMILY COSTUME IDEA: CLASSIC SCARY HALLOWEEN
Both girls saw their costumes on Amazon, and they were sold. We decided to work with the theme and all choose traditional, scary Halloween costumes. I was a skeleton, and Garrett was Michael Myers. River’s dress was just a cute butterfly dress off Amazon, and I glued the eyes and mouth to make it a ghost. Alba did ALL HER OWN makeup here.
Other ideas for a “Classic Scary Halloween” theme could be a bat, werewolf, jack-o-lantern, zombie, and a witch.
SHOP HERE:
Vampire Costume Kid
Ghost Dress
Amazing Fake Blood Spray
Skeleton Dress Adult
Michael Myers Mask
Michael Myers Jacket
FAMILY COSTUME IDEA: VILLAINS
Alba got really into Harley Quinn last year from Youtube. So, I suggested we all dress as villains. We had just watched Cruella as a family, and the girls loved it. I don’t know how we ended up with two Cruellas; I think that was River’s idea.
SHOP HERE:
Harley Quinn Kid Costume
Harley Quinn Wig
Harley Quinn Bat
Cruella Wigs
Cruella Kid Costume
Joker Shorts
Joker Blazer
FAMILY COSTUME IDEA: THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
River was obsessed with cats and her Dad. And Alba loved The Nightmare Before Christmas.
We would stomp around the house to the theme song every week in October! Alba’s dress was handmade by her amazing grandma, but I’ll link another below. And I’m pretty sure we re-purposed an Ariel wig haha. Romo was Zero.
SHOP HERE:
Zero Costume Dog
Jack Skellington Onesie
Sally Dress
Sally Wig
FAMILY COSTUME IDEA: FROZEN (OR ANY DISNEY MOVIE)
This was a COVID year. And our girls were loving Frozen! Look at this Tik Tok we made with all the time we had.
SHOP HERE:
Frozen Dress Kid
Frozen Wig Kid
Ana Dress
Olaf Tshirt
Kristoff Shirt
Kristoff Wig
Sven Antlers
FAMILY COSTUME IDEA: MONSTERS INC.
The Monsters Inc. theme is fun because there’s so many fun characters to coordinate from the movie.
Romo was a random elephant? I can only assume one of the girls chose this for him. There was a time we were really into “Heffalumps.”
SHOP HERE:
Boo Costume Kid
Mike Costume Infant
Sully Onesie Adult
DIY COSTUME IDEA: CHICKEN
This is still my favorite costume, and probably because it’s the only one I ever made on my own. It was also Alba’s first real costume.
We threw a chicken hat from Oktoberfest on Romo!
I found yellow tights, yellow Crocs, a simple white onesie, feathers, and a bonnet.
Her grandma made me the red comb to glue on top of the bonnet. And I just hot glued the feathers all over the onesie!
It was super easy and adorable. And I’m not a DIY person by any means, but I totally recommend hand-making your babe’s first Halloween costume. It really adds to the cherished memories.
I love that we all get a night to be whoever we want. And there’s no rules about fitting in.
Dress up, own it, and have a faBOOlous time!
Please share in a comment below what you and/or your family are dressing up as this year for Halloween.